1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:14But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
3 John 1
English Standard Version
Greeting
1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. (1Jo 3:18; 2Jo 1:1)2Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers[1] came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. (2Jo 1:4)4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (1Co 4:14; Ga 4:19; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2; Tit 1:4; Phm 1:10)
Support and Opposition
5Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, (Mt 25:35; Ga 6:10; Heb 13:1)6who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. (Col 1:10; 1Th 2:12)7For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. (Ac 5:41; 1Co 9:12; 1Co 9:15)8Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.10So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.11Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. (Ps 34:14; Ps 37:27; Isa 1:16; 1Jo 2:29; 1Jo 3:6)12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. (Joh 21:24; 1Ti 3:7)
Final Greetings
13I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. (2Jo 1:12)14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.15Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name. (Joh 10:3)